Author Archives: Kim Reyes

[Funky House] Chet Faker x WKND – Lover

Posted by Kim Reyes - September 22, 2014

Chet Faker x WKND
Lover

Germany’s wunderkind WKND is on a mission to keep the good grooves going with his dreamy sound, and today we’re gifted with the release of “Lover,” which derives from a Chet Faker cover. The Australian artist revamped “You Don’t Treat Me No Good” by Sonia Dada for Triple J, and WKND swooped in to transform the bluesy cover into a house delight.

The melodic mashup, which heavily pulls from nu-disco and tropical house influences, is the brainchild of WKND’s newest direction. The producer lets fans know that he is “really stoked to share some deep clubby tunes with you in the near future,” along with some “awesome collabos.” If “Lover” is any indication of what’s to come, we can’t wait to hear what else he’s hiding up his sleeve.

To make the release even better, “Lover” is available for a free download, making it easy to dance your way through those Monday blues!

House
Soul

[Free Download] Ryan Hemsworth – Cream Soda (with Tomggg)

Posted by Kim Reyes - August 26, 2014

Ryan Hemsworth
Cream Soda (with Tomggg)

Download

Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth just wrapped up his summer tour with a set at this past weekend’s FYF Fest, and he will be heading back home to finish his forthcoming album. Today he’s shared more important news with the announcement of three Japan tour dates in October, and the release of a new single with Japanese producer Tomggg called “Cream Soda.”

The upbeat instrumental track sounds like something straight out of a video game with its melodic chiptune cheer. “Cream Soda” is a delightful pop number that stirs in futuristic elements with dainty bells and whistles, and the result is wholly wonderful. “Cream Soda” is available for a free download via SoundCloud.

Electronica

[Deep House] Cyril Hahn – Open ft. Ryan Ashley

Posted by Kim Reyes - August 19, 2014

Cyril Hahn
Open ft. Ryan Ashley

Soundcloud

This weekend Canada’s Cyril Hahn will wrap up his five-city She’s Different tour, just in time to prepare for the big unveiling of Voices, his forthcoming EP. While the official release date has not yet been announced, not all hope is lost. Our day has been made with the news that Hahn has shared another single off the EP via SoundCloud.

A month ago we saw the release of “Slow” featuring Rochelle Jordan, and now we’re gifted with “Open” featuring Ryan Ashley. “Open” pulls from deep house influences, resulting in an expertly crafted track that is both complex and emotionally invoking. Hahn’s signature sound breathes fervor into “Open,” and we’re extremely pleased with the silky smooth single. “Open” will be featured on Voices, which will be out soon on PMR Records.

House

[Nu-Disco] Bondax – All I See (Darius Remix)

Posted by Kim Reyes - August 19, 2014

Bondax
All I See (Darius Remix)

Soundcloud

Last month UK duo Bondax released a new tune called “All I See,” which features an upbeat dance tempo and melodic vocals from Tanya Lacey. The Bondax boys sure know how to churn out a catchy number, but leave it up to Darius to scale the track back to some minimal roots. The Parisian producer takes the track into his own hands, and the result is a chill rework in the form of an official remix, which was officially released today via SoundCloud.

Darius’ remix turns down the volume and dims the lights with a sexy and sultry sound that is driven by dreamy synths and tightly coiled percussions. Darius flips “All I See” into a nu-disco delight, and the final finish is incredibly smooth and sensual. The original “All I See” will be out Sept. 7, and it’s available now for pre-order on iTunes.

Portugal. The Man Talk Charity, Danger Mouse, & Taco Bell [TMN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Posted by Kim Reyes - August 15, 2014

Portugal. The Man
Evil Friends

Soundcloud

Portugal. The Man have managed to stay busy and successful these past 10 years with seven studio albums and five EPs. The four-piece band has played sets at big-name festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo, and will continue their performance streak with a multi-city tour through the US with Grouplove.

On Tuesday, Aug. 12, Portugal. The Man returned to San Francisco for the first stop of their tour: a special benefit show for StubHub’s Next Stage Concert Series. All ticket sales for the show will go to three Oakland schools through The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, which helps fund music programs in underserved schools.

After their soundcheck, Portugal. The Man held a meet and greet with the opening act, a band from one of the Oakland schools. When the high schoolers left to play a soundcheck of their own, bassist Zach Carothers and keyboardist Kyle O’Quin talked to us about working with Danger Mouse, their Sumatran Tiger project, and Taco Bell.

TMN: Tell us about Alaska.

Zach: That’s where I’m from and where John and I met, and it was a huge inspiration to be up there. Obviously the natural beauty and isolation is really attractive, but the thing it lacks is direct influence. There’s not a huge art scene up there, not a huge music scene. So when we moved down to Portland, where we lived now, we got flooded with all this amazing underground media. We were going to shows every night for $3, seeing these little bands. It really inspired us to get out there and go for it. We decided to go on tour and we haven’t really stopped.

TMN: Nice, do you go back often and play a show there?

Zach: Yeah, at least once a year. At least. We try to go back twice, but it all kind of depends what the schedule is like. We always go back up for Christmas, so we play a show around then.

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[Future Rap] Louis Futon x A-1 – Parasail

Posted by Kim Reyes - August 13, 2014

Louis Futon x A-1
Parasail [Free Download]

Buy

Philly production duo Louis Futon drop a heavy hitter today with “Parasail,” a sharp but quick ditty that works in some of that futuristic bounce. The guys recruit Bay Area-based rapper A-1 to spit lyrics on a jungle-meets-space beat, resulting in a collaborative piece that is larger than life.

A-1’s vocals are crisp yet calculated, but manage to work marvelously with the complex composition of “Parasail,” a track that is brimming with bass. While A-1’s flow manages to command attention, the track’s real breadwinner is the sweet, sweet beat with its fresh syncopations and hefty percussions. “Parasail” is available for a free download by heading to Louis Futon’s Facebook.

Hip/Hop

[New] Arcade Fire – Afterlife (Flume Remix)

Posted by Kim Reyes - August 11, 2014

Arcade Fire
Afterlife (Flume Remix)

Soundcloud

It’s been a crazy ride for Australia’s wunderkind Flume, and by now, you should be familiar with the man and his music. The young producer has been coasting through the festival circuit with sets at Palm Springs’ Splash House and San Francisco’s Outside Lands this past weekend. Today, Flume, who is also one half of What So Not, has dropped a new remix, and it’s a stunner.

Arcade Fire track “Afterlife” gets the Flume fix, resulting in a rework with a hazy tinge to it. Flume’s “Afterlife” remix is considerably more mellow than his previous work, but he manages to orchestrate the track in a way where the beat’s sublime sound is the focal point, but does not compromise or upstage the original’s vocals.

Buzzing opinions appear to be less than favorable for Flume’s latest piece, but it’s undeniable that the man is talented. We’re interpreting the direction of this remix as an indication that the his sound is constantly fluctuating and evolving, but only time will tell us what he’s got up his sleeve.